Best Islands & Beaches in the World

Over a thousand coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean form the ultimate barefoot-luxury escape, where thatched overwater villas open straight onto lagoons in every impossible shade of blue. Vibrant house reefs teem with manta rays, whale sharks and turtles, each resort typically its own private island.

A jewel of French Polynesia, this island wraps the jagged twin peaks of Mount Otemanu in a lagoon so vividly coloured it seems unreal. Iconic overwater bungalows perch above coral gardens alive with rays and reef sharks, and lagoon tours take you to swim with rays on a tiny sandbar.

Whitewashed villages spill down sheer black volcanic cliffs above a flooded caldera in the most romantic of the Greek islands. Sunsets from Oia draw crowds every evening, and blue-domed churches and red and black sand beaches make the whole island cinematic. Visit in May, June or September.

Indonesia’s most beloved island blends world-class surf beaches, emerald rice terraces and thousands of ornate Hindu temples. Chase perfect waves at Uluwatu, find yoga studios in artsy Ubud, or slip away to quiet black-sand coves in the north. Volcano-summit sunrise hikes and cliff-top temples add adventure.

Giant sculpted granite boulders frame the powder-soft beaches of this Indian Ocean archipelago, whose jungle interiors shelter giant tortoises and rare endemic birds. Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue ranks among the most photographed beaches on Earth, and warm shallow waters are ideal for snorkelling straight off the sand.

Hawaii’s second-largest island packs jaw-dropping variety into one destination: the winding, waterfall-laced Road to Hana, a sunrise above the clouds atop Haleakala volcano, and golden beaches where humpback whales breach each winter. Snorkel the crescent Molokini crater and move from rainforest to near-desert in an afternoon.

Thailand’s largest island is the lively gateway to the Andaman Sea, ringed by beaches from raucous, neon-lit Patong to quieter southern coves. Long-tail boats fan out to the towering limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay and the famous Phi Phi Islands, with Old Phuket Town and legendary street food between beach days.

Towering limestone karst cliffs rise straight from turquoise lagoons in this corner of Palawan, rated among the most beautiful seascapes on the planet. Island-hopping boat tours weave between hidden beaches and secret lagoons reached through cracks in the rock. Kayaking the Big and Small Lagoons at dawn is the highlight.

A short boat ride from Bali, this rugged island rewards the effort with cinematic clifftop viewpoints, the T-Rex-shaped headland above Kelingking Beach, and crystal bays where you snorkel alongside gentle manta rays. Bumpy roads lead to natural wonders like Angel’s Billabong and the Broken Beach arch.

More than 300 islands scattered across the South Pacific promise soft coral reefs, genuinely heartfelt hospitality and classic castaway beaches. Snorkel among manta rays and vivid corals, learn to surf famous reef breaks, or settle into a small island resort where the pace slows to the roll of the tide.

This fabled spice island off Tanzania pairs powdery white beaches and turquoise water with a centuries-old Swahili culture born of African, Arab and Indian trade. Wander the labyrinthine alleys and carved doorways of historic Stone Town, then unwind on the east coast where dhows sail and low tides reveal wide sandbars.

Ringed by a protective coral reef, this Indian Ocean island offers calm turquoise lagoons, dramatic volcanic mountains and a rich blend of Creole, Indian, African and French cultures. Beyond the beaches lie waterfalls, the sacred crater lake of Grand Bassin and the surreal seven-coloured earths of Chamarel.

This glamorous rock rising from the Bay of Naples has enchanted visitors since Roman emperors built their villas here. Take a small boat into the eerily glowing Blue Grotto, ride the chairlift up Monte Solaro for views over the Faraglioni sea stacks, and stay overnight once the ferries depart.

Italy’s second-largest island guards some of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular beaches, from the jet-set Costa Smeralda to wild coves backed by pink granite. Inland lie the mysterious Bronze Age nuraghi stone towers, rugged mountains and a fiercely proud culture with its own language and cuisine. Come in late spring.

The Cyclades’ most cosmopolitan island balances world-famous nightlife and glamorous beach clubs with whitewashed lanes, blue-shuttered houses and iconic hilltop windmills. Golden beaches range from party hotspots to quieter family stretches, and boat trips cross to the sacred ruins of Delos. Wander Chora at dusk for its softer side.

This small Philippine island is defined by White Beach, a four-kilometre stretch of talcum-fine sand lapped by clear warm water and lined with bars and dive shops. Sunset sailing on traditional outrigger paraw boats and kite-surfing the breezier eastern shore make it a perennial tropical favourite.

The largest island of French Polynesia mixes lush, waterfall-laced volcanic peaks and black-sand beaches with a vibrant living Polynesian culture of dance, tattoo and legend. Bustling Papeete offers colourful markets and a famous food-truck scene, while the Teahupo’o reef break draws world-class surfers. Gateway to the wider archipelago.

Off the Queensland coast lies the planet’s largest coral reef system, where snorkellers and divers drift over vibrant gardens alive with turtles, rays and thousands of fish. Idyllic Whitsunday resorts and the powder-white silica sand of Whitehaven Beach make this an unbeatable combination of reef and beach.

This duty-free Malaysian archipelago in the Andaman Sea combines palm-fringed beaches with jungle-clad hills, mangroves and a spectacular cable car climbing to a curved sky bridge. Eagles wheel overhead, and boat tours explore sea caves, hidden lagoons and waterways alive with monkeys, otters and monitor lizards.